'Talking Trees' in Decorah this May

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:13 AM

This May there will be a new way to enjoy hiking near Decorah.

Brooke Joyce, Luther College associate professor of music and composer-in-residence, and Harvey Sollberger, of the University of California-San Diego, are collaborating to enhance the experience of an everyday walk through the forest using a mixture of natural sounds -l ike rushing water and birds chirping -- and composed music. The type of music and sounds being played will vary according to the time of day and atmospheric conditions.

Four or five canopies are being placed along a trail at Seed Savers Exchange, north of Decorah, each equipped with a solar panel and four speakers. Joyce and Sollberger plan to power these canopies with solar and battery energy. Funding for the project, which opens for a month-long run in May, came from the Iowa Arts Council.

For more information contact Julie Shockey at 563-387-1865 or julie@luther.edu.

Music along a path sounds wonderful -- but is this enhancing the natural environment - or tuning us in to even more electronics? If bird songs and water sounds are used, wildlife and birds hear those too, disturbing their daily routines with false calls. No way to keep nature natural and music for a wonderful concert outdoors?This comment has been hidden due to low approval.